Australians face Boxing Day virus surge
Australians are bracing for virus case numbers to soar past 10,000 after the second Christmas Day since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
health
Thousands spend Christmas in isolation
With more than 30,000 people testing positive for COVID-19 just in NSW over the past 10 days, it'll be a sad, quiet Christmas for the many in isolation.
WA toughens more border restrictions
Western Australia has toughened border restrictions with South Australia and Queensland over "alarming" COVID-19 case numbers in those states.
Aussies celebrate second COVID Christmas
Australians are coming together for their second Christmas since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in Australia, as the Omicron variant continues to spread.
Tasmania records 27 cases, new daily high
Tasmania has recorded 27 coronavirus infections, a new daily high for the island state, and now has 79 active cases.
Victoria has 2095 COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths
Victoria has reported 2095 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths, after reinstating mandatory mask-wearing in all indoor venues.
COVID restrictions return amid case surge
States and territories are reintroducing COVID-safe measures and working to reform how they contact trace exposures amid a sharp spike in infections.
WA to learn extent of COVID-19 outbreak
West Australians are donning face masks for last-minute Christmas shopping after a backpacker visited more than a dozen venues while infected with COVID-19.
ACT hits new daily COVID record, 85 cases
The ACT has set a new daily record for COVID-19 cases with 85 reported in the latest period.
Vic testing system jammed by ‘bureaucracy’
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities blame longer COVID-19 testing wait times on interstate bureaucracy.
Vic Omicron cases jump amid testing surge
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities encourage residents to get tested despite the system struggling to keep up with demand.
ACT has record daily rise of 58 cases
The ACT has recorded a new record daily high of 58 COVID-19 infections amid lengthy queues for testing.
More Vic test sites shut, premier returns
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is interrupting his leave to attend Wednesday's national cabinet meeting, as COVID-19 testing site continue to be overrun.
NSW climbs to 3763 COVID-19 cases
NSW has recorded 3763 cases of COVID-19 overnight, another daily record for the pandemic as people rush to get tested before the Christmas break.
Vic has 1503 COVID-19 cases, six deaths
Victoria has reported 1503 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, as Premier Daniel Andrews briefly returns from leave for Wednesday's national cabinet meeting.
Two new COVID cases in WA linked to Qld flight
Western Australia's plan to lift travel restrictions from February 5 has been clouded by a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases in NSW and Victoria.
Test queues balloon as NSW urges RAT use
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has urged people without COVID-19 symptoms to reconsider whether they need a PCR test as clinics are overwhelmed.
NT outbreak grows, Omicron reaches Uluru
The Northern Territory has detected 14 new COVID-19 infections as Omicron spreads from Brisbane to Yulara, 450km southwest of Alice Springs.
Be kind amid record cases: NSW premier
NSW has reached another unwelcome milestone with a record 3057 new cases of COVID-19, as people fear missing Christmas celebrations.
ACT Omicron rise triggers return of masks
An indoor mask mandate will be reintroduced in the ACT following a rise in Omicron COVID-19 cases in Canberra.
ACT records 16 new COVID-19 cases
Long lines with wait times of up to several hours have been reported at ACT COVID-19 testing clinics, as 16 new infections were reported.
Vic has 1245 COVID-19 cases, six deaths
Victoria has reported 1245 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, after more than a dozen testing sites reached capacity due to a surge in pre-Christmas demand.
International arrival rules eased in NSW
NSW has introduced changes to quarantine rules for international arrivals who will now only need to isolate until they get a negative COVID-19 test result.
Blood donors needed over festive break
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling for almost 9000 additional donors to meet demand over the Christmas break after a record number of "no shows".
Queensland records 42 new COVID-19 cases
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says most Queenslanders may be exposed to COVID-19 within weeks after the number of daily infections doubled in 48 hours.
Qld posts 24 local cases, braces for more
Workers and visitors to hospitals and other health facilities are among 24 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases detected in Queensland.
Genital mutilation care can improve: study
Better referral pathways can improve health outcomes for the more than 50,000 women who come to Australia having undergone genital mutilation, a report says.
First man charged with COVID grant fraud
NSW detectives have charged a 21-year-old with 52 offences after he was allegedly caught submitting $350,000 worth of fraudulent applicants for pandemic relief.
Victoria mulls more vax sites for boosters
The Victorian government is considering opening more state-run clinics to fast-track the uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccines.
Qld ambo transfer times rise significantly
Increases in ambulance times, staff under pressure and not taking leave, and uncollected quarantine debts, are among the findings of a Queensland health audit.
Vic has 1622 new COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths
Victoria has reported 1622 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths, its highest figures since October, after the state scrapped vaccine mandates in several settings.